I am a big fan of straps that are functional and secure without being bulky and that can be attached and removed quickly under actual field conditions. I often shoot in thick gloves and heavy parkas. I don’t want to be slowed down with cumbersome screws or proprietary connectors that are difficult to manipulate even in the best conditions. And I don’t want to my mobility constrained by shoulder pads that get hung up on my clothing and take up too much room in my bag.
This is why I love this camera/tripod strap by Leofoto. It delivers exactly what I want: ruggedness, speed and flexibility with minimal weight and bulk.
Being just a strap, there’s no cantankerous shoulder pad to get in the way. And the integrated Magpul/QD attachment system lets me move my camera from shoulder-carry to tripod mount (with a compatible L-bracket) in just seconds.
If you’re not familiar with Magpul, it’s one of the leading manufacturers of the generic QD attachment system originally developed for firearms. QD is becoming more frequently integrated into photography gear, too. The QD plug attaches to a QD socket with just a firm push, and it releases just as easily by pushing a button in the center of the plug, even when wearing mittens. Many L-brackets, including Leofoto’s, now include QD sockets natively. Adding this strap to your kit gives you all the benefits of QD without having to jerry-rig adaptations of other systems.
Some might fear that QD might be too easily disconnected, but in my experience you have to be intentional about releasing the connector. It takes a firm push to disengage. And I don’t see how it could come undone accidentally because the D-ring shields the button while under load. To reach the button, you’d have to take the load off the connector enough to swivel the D-ring out of the way. And to do that, you’d have to be holding the camera some other way. So mishaps seem unlikely to me.
This Leofoto strap includes a QD plug and two QD sockets sewn into the strap itself giving repositioning options for how you carry your camera.
And the nylon strap is robust, like a seat belt. While it might be overkill for ultralight cameras, it’s wide enough (about one inch) to distribute the weight of your gear without digging into your neck or shoulder. And by not having a pad you can freely slide your camera around without getting hung up on a heavy parka or hood.
If you want to use this strap for carrying a tripod, I’m sure it would work great for that, too. As I understand it, however, your tripod would need to have QD sockets built in, or you would have to install adapters that add that capability.
The only downside I see to this strap, and most others that offer “quick connect” capability, is that it could scratch your gear if left connected inside your bag. I detach the straps and store them in separate pockets so the QD components don’t rub against my cameras during transport.
While I concede this strap might not be the ideal choice for everyone, it’s dang near perfect for me.
